Word
impartial
Phoneticsim·par·tial, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpɑɹʃəɫ/
UK/ɪmpˈɑːʃəl/
Definition
adj. not supporting one person or group more than another. You use this to describe someone who is fair and does not take sides.
adj. treating all rivals or disputants equally; unbiased and neutral. Often used to describe judges, journalists, or formal processes.
Examples
“A judge must remain impartial during a trial.”
“The committee hired an impartial consultant to review the project and ensure no personal interests influenced the final decision.”
“Maintaining an impartial stance is essential for investigative journalists, as even a slight perception of bias can undermine the credibility of their entire report.”
Examples
simple
“A judge must remain impartial during a trial.”
contextual
“The committee hired an impartial consultant to review the project and ensure no personal interests influenced the final decision.”
complex
“Maintaining an impartial stance is essential for investigative journalists, as even a slight perception of bias can undermine the credibility of their entire report.”
Usage
Typically follows a linking verb like 'be', 'remain', or 'stay'; often takes the preposition 'towards'.
Pitfall
an unpartial observer
an impartial observer
Learners often use the prefix 'un-' because it is a common way to negate adjectives, but 'impartial' is the correct form.
Real-World Examples
“Bolivian Vice President Edmand Lara said the attack “threatens life, democracy, and freedom of expression” in a news conference where he called for an impartial investigation “without any kind of favoritism”.” “In theory, the inquiry should be impartial and informative – a learning process focused solely on improving passenger safety.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French impartial. See im- + partial.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/impartial